Electrical toy



Sept. 8, 1931. I J. L. COWEN ET AL ELECTRICALTOY Filed April 26, 1928 6Sheets-Sheet l INVENTO ojaai. Zea/5 m ATTORNEY P 8, 1931- J. L. COWENETAL\ 1,822,015

ELECTRICAL TOY Filed April 26, 1928 6 Shuts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR sag Z,(one/Z g a 'aso.

M ATTORNEY Sept 1931. J. L. COWEN ET AL 1,822,015

ELECTRICAL TOY Filed April 26. 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 W M ATTORNEY p 8,1931. J. L. COWEN ET AL 1,322,015

ELECTRICAL TOY Filed April 26, 1928 6 Sheets -.-Sheet 4 P1 AIM: I "Illa.Q

Zougys Q7/ 4 W ATTORNEY Sept. 8, 1931. J. 1.. COWEN ET AL 1,822,015

ELECTRICAL TOY Filed April 26, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Z05 ZZZ m ATTORNEYP 8, 1931- i I J. L. COWEN ET AL 1,822,015

' ELECTRICAL TOY Filed April 26, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR fisaazZ. (owe/7.

eggs (0/2/50- ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1931 harem ossslgcs JOSHUA It.COWVEN, F YORK, -Y., AND LOUIS CARUSO, OF IRV'INGTON, NEW

JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO THE LIONEL COBPGRAEFONQOF NEWYORK, N. Y.,-A CORPO-RATION OF NEW YORK nmzcrmczrtuoy Application. filed A-priI'ZG,

The present invention relates to electrical toys and is moreparticularly directed toward a toy comprising an electric motorand'capable of ready assembly and disassembly into i forms which it maybe used either as a power plant of general utility for driving'tools,hoists, accessories, and the like, or asthe power plant of a toyelectric locomotive.

The present invention contemplates the provision of suitable parts andsubassemlies whereby one can readily assemble'a' toy locomotive or a toyelectric power: plant out of these parts.

The invention also contemplates so constructing and arranging the partsthat they may be readily put together orta'ken apart with ease withoutthe use of tools other than a screw driver. It has been found that anelectrical toy of this nature can be constructed out of accurately made,rugged substantial parts in such a way that the locomotive ower plant orthe electric power. drive can very quickly assembled. Such power plantor toy locomotive becomes as substan tial and strong and has anefficiency and operative characteristics which are equal to or betterthan similar sized motors designed: for

factory assembly with tools, riveting machines and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy locomotive orpower plant wherein it is unnecessary for one to fasten any wires toconduct the current to the various parts of the structure. According tothe invention the electrical connections arc -made simultaneous with theputting of the parts toge'ther. In this manner the assembly of thelocomotive with the running gear and contact mechanism provides all theelectrical connections necessary for the operation-ofthe motor.Similarly the assembly with the motorand frame with the driving shafta'nd supporting base provides. all the electrical connections necessaryfora power plant. By this arrangement it will be apparent that there isno opportunity for erroneously connecting the parts asis the case whenseparab'le wires must be used. Furthermore the-device presents a farmore pleasing'and workmanlike appearance.

192s. Serial no. 273,025.

According-tothepresent invention it is possible for the manufacturer toplace on the market 1 a knocked down locomotive :and power plant whichthe purchaser may readily assemble by following directions whichaccompany the parts. With the present form ofconstruction it will alsobe possible for the user of the toy train or toy power plant to obtainreplacement of worn,llost' or damaged parts without the delay-and lossof use ofthe toy incident to'returning it to the service station forrepairyfor, according to the present invention; it is contemplated thatthe purchaser will be able to readi ly'takeapart the loco'motive orpower plant and insert a new part "which can be obtained from themanufacturer or dealers stookofs'pare parts.

According to .7 the present invention-it is possible to provide completeoutfits :of' parts and units from which the desiredtoy locomotive orpower plant may 1 be asseinbled. These parts and units are made up inthe form of subassemblies and given the desired configuration and Iconstructional features that they are easily fitted together. Thepreconstructed units are so made that the component parts thereof arepermanently' hel d together, and yet the purpose-and function is readilyobservable by the 'boy.

The acco1npanying drawings show, for purposes'of illustrating "theinvention, two of the many possible embodiments in which thepresentinvention may take for-m, it being understood that the drawingsare i l lustrat-ive of the invention rather than limiting the same.

these drawings: Figure I is'a compo-site view illustrating a typical setof parts constituting an outfit for ill) int

plate and controller placed in position thereon;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the plate and controller looking atthe opposite or inside of the same, and showing the motor armature inposition to pass the armature shaft through the bearing; 4

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the otherframe plate and the motor field and field winding unit, showing theseparts in position to be brought together to mount the motor field onthis frame plate;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second plate and field structureassembled;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first plate, the controller andarmature assembled, these two figures, 6 and 7, being placed oppositeone another to indicate the manner in which the assembly of the motorunit is completed;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary outside elevational view of the second plateof the motor frame showing the driving pinions on the end of thearmature shaft;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing the reduction gears inplace;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the assembled motor and reductiongears;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the contact carrying cross plate orshoe, this figure being placed above Figure 10 to illustrate the mannerof assembling these two parts;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the contact shoe carrying member;

Figure 13 is a section taken on the line 1313 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the completed toy locomotive;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a completed toy power plant utilizingthe motor frame shown in Figure 10 and utilizing the supporting base andpower drive parts adapted to complete a toy power plant;

Figure 16 is a perspective *iew of a modified form of toy locomotivepower plant more particularly made up for narrow gage toy trains, thegear cover plate and armature shaft bearing member being removed, andparts broken away to show interior construction;

Figure 17 is a perspective View of the toy locomotive shown in Figure 16taken from the opposite side;

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the electrical toy assembled inthe form of a power plant utilizing the form of motor shown in Figure16;

Figure 19 is an end view of the power plant shown in Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a side elevational View of the toy locomotive of Figures 16and 17, parts broken away to show interior construction;

Figure 21 is an elevational view of the reversing switch and brushrigging unit taken from the opposite direction from which it appears inFigure 17 and Figure 22 is a section on the line 2222 of Figure 21.

In the present form of construction as shown in detail in the drawingsthe outfit from which one can assemble either a toy locomotive or a toypower plant is shown as consisting of a number of distinct parts. Theseparts may be generally described as including the following. A sideplate A, a combined controller and brush rigging assembly B, a motorarmature unit C, a second side plate D, a motor field assembly E, a pairof reduction gears F, F, a gear cover plate G, a pair of locomotivetrucks H, H having driving wheels and axles, a bottom plate I, providedwith contact rollers, a first speed reduction power shaft and assemblyJ, a second speed reduction power shaft and assembly K, a power plantbase L, and nine screws.

In making up the toy locomotive, the parts J, K and L are not employed,while in making up the toy power plant the parts H and I are notemployed.

The side plate A may be a fiat smooth steel plate provided with holes,slots and projections such as indicated in the drawing. These specialparts will be enumerated as the description proceeds.

The combined controller and brush rigging assembly B which is shown indetail in Fig ures 1, 2, 4t and 7 includes a rectangular insulatingplate 20 which carries all these parts. This insulating plate carriestwo connecting straps 21 and 22 the former being the lead in connectionfor the controller as indicated more clearly in Figure The lower end ofthis strap has an outwardly extending foot 23 for a purpose to bepointed out later. The upper end of the insulating plate 20 carries areversing switch and controller for the motor. This reversing switchincludes a pivotally mounted operating lever 25 which is mounted about acenter 26. It carries contacts 27 and 28 indicated in dotted lines inFigure 3. These contacts are cooperative with four posts 29, 30, 31 and32. The post 29 is connected at the upper end of the lead in strap 21while the post 30 is connected at the upper end of the brush lead strap22 and the post 32 is connected to the other brush lead strap 33. Thepost 31 connects with a contact button 3 1 fixedly carried by theinsulating plate.

The contact strips 22 and 33 each carry a brush rigging as indicated at35. On mak ing up this brush rigging the lower ends of the straps 22 and33 are rolled as indicated at 36 to provide a round passageway or holderfor a brush 37. Each of these brushes is carried on the end of a spring38 which urges it inwardly toward the commutator of the motor. Each ofthe brush riggings is provided with a brush lifter in: the form of alever 39 pivoted about the screwlO and havinga freeend 4:1 engageablewith the spring 38 to lift the brush.

The insulating plate. 20 and the metal plate A are provided with pairsof aligned holes and 43 to receive screws 42 and 43 for fastening thesetwo parts together. To facilitate aligning these two parts, theinsulating plate 20 carries pins 44 which pass into holes 44 in themetal plate and the imeta'lplate carries a bushing l5 for the armatureshaft, which bushing passes through a hole 45 in the insulating plate.The plate A is also provided with cut-outs as irdicated at 46 and 47which accommodate the prongs 48 used in fastening the conducting stripson the insulating plate 20. The slot or cut out 46 also permits passingthe controller handle through the slot as indicated inFigure 2.

The assembly of these two parts is accomplished as indicated in Figure 2in a very simple manner, it being merely necessary to pass the handle ofthe controller through the slot, and swinging the parts into position sothat the oins 14 pass through the holes 14K and the bushing 45 passesthrough the hole 45. The screws 42 and 13 may then be inserted in placeand this part of the assembly is completed, as shown in Figures 3 andThe commutator assembly C may, as here shown, include an armature shaft50, armature field structure 51, armature windings 52, spur driving gear53 andconnnutator 541-. These parts are provided as an assembled unitand may be inserted into the motor assembly as indicatedin Figure 4. Toaccompany this operation it is merely necessary to press the tips 39 ofthe brush lifting fingers toward one another and pass the shaft throughthe bushing 4.5. Thisbrings the parts to the assembled condition asillustrated in Figure 7.

The plate D resembles in general the plate A but it is intended forcarrying the field structln'e B. As appears in Figures 1 and 5 the plateD provided with four small holes 60, and with two short spacers 61riveted to it and provided with tapped holes 62. The motor fieldassembly D ismade up to have the usual laminated field structure 63 andfield windings 64. This field structure is held together by rivetsindicated at 65 and having reduced end portions 66 cooperative with theholes 60 in the frame plate D. The field structure is also provided withscrew receiving holes 67 through which screws 68 may be passed to threadthem into the tapped holes 62 in the bosses 61 carried by the frameplate. In this manner the field structure and plate may be broughttogether to place the parts in position as shown in Figure 6.

One end of the field winding is grounded by soldering it to a rivet, asindicated at 64.

The other end 64 is connected to a strap 70 fixedly mounted in the:i'nsulating spool ends 640; \and 64b. Thestra-p 70 carries a springpressed plunger 69 which projects outwardly as indicated in Figure 6. Itis then in :a position to come opposite the contact 34 carried on thecontroller assembly.

Theplate D as here shown also carries three spacers orzposts 71, 72 and73preferablyrivetedto .it and provided with reduced end portionscooperative with holes 7 1, 75, and 76 in the plate A. The parts shownin Figures 6 and 7 may be brought together by merely moving them towardone another in the positions there indicated so as to bring the reducedends of these spacers through the corresponding-holes after which screws77 may be passed into the threaded holes 71-, 72 and 7 3' in the spacersto clamp the plates and supportingparts together. lVhen the parts havebeen assembled to this extent the alnnature shaft 50 and pinion 53project out through a hole 78 in the frame plate D.

The outside of the frame plate D is provided with two posts 7 9 shown inFigure 8, adapted to receive the reducing gears F which may be assembledso that the parts will appear-as shown in Figure 9. These two gears areeach in mesh with the pinion 53. The plate D is also provided with twoposts or lugs SOnhaVi-ng reduced end portions and threaded holes. Thecover plate Gr above referred to is adapted to fit over the parts asindicated in Figure 10. This cover plate has small holes 81 to receivethe studs 79, has abearing hole 82 for the armature shaft 50 and isprovided with two holes to permit passing screws 88 into the supportingstuds 80. All the foregoing parts may be assembled in the mannerindicated, and the device in this stage of assembly is in condition forfurther assembly to make it into a toy locomotive power plant or a "toyunit for general purposes.

Assuming that it is to be assembled into a toy locomotive power plant,the operations will be described. During these operations one employsthe two truck units H and the current collector or bottom plate I. Asshown in Figure 1 these truck units each have a shaft 89 fixedlycarrying a driving gear 90 and a pair of track wheels 91. The shafts, 89also loosely carry bushings 92 having undercut portions 93 as indicated.The buslr ings are held in place by prick marks 89.

The frame plates A and D are provided with slots 94, 95, 96 and 97.These slots arearranged to be opposite one another in pairs when theframe plates and motor parts are assembled as shown in Figure 10. Theseslots provideguide ways to receivethe bearing members 92, and thenext'step in assembling the locomotive powerplant is to place these twoaxles and associated parts in position-byx-merely sliding the bushingsdown the ice slots thereby bringing the gears into mesh with thereducing gears F.

The current collector plate or bottom plate I as shown in Figures 1, 11,12 and 13, is adapted to be fastened in place after the running gear hasbeen installed.

This bottom plate and contact carrier consist essentially of a sheetmetal stamping which fits the motor frame, and a pair of rail contactingrollers 101 and 102 insulatively supported from the stamping 100 andadapted to ride on the third rail of the toy railroad track on which thelocomotive is to be used. To insulatively support the rollers a strip ofinsulating material 103 is secured to the stamping 100. As here shownthe method of securing these parts together includes a plurality ofprongs 104 bent over onto the strip of insulation and a pair ofa-pertured prongs 105 adaptedto receive the reduced end portions 106 ofthe insulating strip. This insulating strip carries a flexible metalstrip 107 on the ends of which are mounted saddle pieces 108 whichextend down 7 through holes 109 in the stamping 100 so as to carry therollers 101 and 102 spaced below the body of the stamping 100. Theresilient roller supporting strip 107 is held in place on the insulatingstrip 103 by a stamping 110 and prongs 111, which are folded over themetal strip 107 and underneath the insulating strip 103, the stamping100 being cut away as indicated at 112 in section in Figure 13 to keepthe prongs 111 out of contact with the stamping. The contact carrier 107is prevented from twisting out of place by the roller supporting saddles108 which pass down alongside the fixedly carried insulating strip 103.The stamping 110 carries a spring pressed plunger 113 for a purpose tobe described.

T he stamping 100 is shaped so as to securely fit the motor partsheretofore assembled and is arranged that it cannot be improperly placedin position on the same. The stamping has upwardly bent end members 114and 115 slotted as indicated at 116 and adapted to pass outside theposts 71 and 72. The sides of the stamping 100 are provided with fourupwardly extending projections 117 adapted to fit outside the frameplates A and B and to engage with the bushings 92 on the shafts of therunning gear. The plate A is provided with projections 118 adapted topass through slots 119 in the stamping 100 thereby preventing assemblingthese parts improperly.

To complete the assembly of the locomotive motor the bottom plate 100and parts carried thereby is inserted in place, which may beaccomplished by merely lowering it from the position shown in Figure 11onto the structure as indicated in Figure 10. This permits the slots 116to pass by the shanks of thumb screws 120 carried by the spacers 71 'toylocomotive will have been assembled utilizing the parts designated as A,B, C,

,D, E, F, G, H, I and the nine screws provided in the outfit. It will benoted that it is unnecessary to connect or disconnect any wires whateverin assembling the motor. All electrical parts are securely carried byvarious subassemblies and when they are put together, all necessaryconnections are made.

The path of current through the motor may be described as follows: Fromthe contact rollers 101 and 102 through the yielding spring supportingstrap 107 to the stamping 110 thence through the spring pressed plunger113 to the foot 23 of the strap 21, then through the reversing switch orcontroller and brush rigging and through the motor armature where thecurrent is carried to the contact button 34 on the controller unit. Thiscurrent will continue through the field winding to the field structureand thence to the motor frame. The extent of movement of the reversingswitch 25 is limited by two stops 118 on the plate A.

In order to facilitate assembly of the motor, the two screws 42 and 43use-d for fastening the controller brush assembly onto the plate A, thethree screws 7 7 used for fastening the plate A onto the spacers 71, 72and 73, and the two screws 83 used for fastening the plate G in positionare all the same size and length. The two screws 68 used for fasteningthe field assembly onto the plate D are longer but may be made to havethe same thread.

lVhen it is desired to assemble the outfit into the form of a toyelectric power plant for operating various forms of toys, the parts areas above described assembled to bring them to the state or conditionshown in Figure 10. Instead of using the units II and I to make up a toylocomotive one uses the units J, K and L to make up a toy power plant.

The unit J has a shaft similar to the shaft 89, and is provided with agear 131 like the gear 90 and with bushings 132 like the bushings 92.The shaft J also carries at one end a comparatively large pulley 133 andat the other end a small pulley 134 and a pinion 135.

The unit K has a shaft 136 which carries a large gear 137, a drum 138and a sprocket tees-leis wheel 1,39. In assembling these parts the unitK is first inserted in place. by passing. the shaft portion 136throughthe .holes- 1 10 andv 141 in the plates A and D. To makeimproperassembly impossible, thesehole's are larger than other holesinthe side plates, and may be the only holes opposite one an: other. Theunit J is lowered along the slots in; the same manner that the units Hwere inserted bringing the gear 131 in mesh with the-reduction gear unitF and bring the pine ion; 135 into mesh with the gear 137 on the unit K.As this gear 137 comes in behind the pulley 134; the unit- K is securelyheld. in position so that it cannot slide out of its. bearings.

The base plate unit L is then inserted; in. place. This unit as shown inFigures land 15 is in the form of an inverted channel. shaped stamping150 adapted to support the power plant on a flat surface. This stamp.-ing150 has upwardly bent side lugs 151 corresponding with the lugs 117carried by the unit I and adapted to pass outside the frame plates A andD as indicated in Figure 15. One pair of these lugs will secure the unitK in position,v the other pair merely passing up, outside the motorframe to facilitate: align.- ing the motor parts. The stamping 150 isalso provided with two lugs 152 similar to.the upwardly bent ends 114and 115 so that the unit may be fastened onto the spacers. 71 and 72 bythe thumb screws 120 as indicated inv Figure 15. The stamping 150, alsocarries an upwardly and inwardly extendingshelf 153 adapted to passinwardly between.

the lugs 118' on theplate'A. The end 1541 of the stamping carries apairof binding posts 155. and 156 one'of which is insulatively sup portedfrom the face plate. This insulated,

binding post 156 is connected by means of a conducting strip 157. with aplunger memher 158 similar to the. plunger member 113. The plungermember 158 is carried by the shelf 153 and the contact strip 157 iscovered over and supported by-an insulating strip, 159.

When the units J, K and L are assembled as havebeen described, theelectrical connections for the motor have been simultaneous-.

ly completed. The-current can pass from, the

binding post 156'through the strap 157 and plunger 158 to the-foot 23carried bythe con-,

troller unit B and thence through the motor which has been described.

When the unit has been assembled for power plant purposes it will beapparent thatone. hasavailable a highspeed pulley 132, alow track. ThiSUtfitiS mad -pup. andlass'embled.

in ai-nianner generally similar to that em ployed. for the larger wide.gage outfit. The

outfit going to makeup. the toy locomotive and power plant as shown. inFigures 16- to; 20,,inclusive, consists of a number of separableunitshaving the same general characteristies. as the units shown in Figure 1and capable of readily bein assembled to produce a toy locomotiveorpower plant. These separate units, however; are, eXce at for. thetrucksand power shafts. of different detailed de sign althoughin general arefor the same purpose.

The narrow gage: outfit includes. a side plate A, a combinedwrerersingswitch and brush rigging-unit B, an armature unit C,

second side plateD, a field unit E, reduction; gearsF, a. gear coverplate G", locomotive trucks .H, a contact carrying bottomplate I, powershaft-s J; and K, a power plant base unit L, and ten screws.

The toy locomotiveof Figures 16 17, 20, 21 and 22 is assembled in aslightly difierent order than that above outlined with respect to,theform shown in. F igurel. The motor field unit E. islfirst mounted onthe plate D. This mounting is accomplished by means of screws 200 which.pass through holes in the field structure and which are threaded into.spacers 201 carried by the. plate D. The plate- A is then placed in.position. This plate A carries fourspacers202, 203, 20-1, 205 similar tothe spacers'Zl, 72 and 73 having reduced ends which fit into'thecorresponaing holes in the plate D; Screws 206 are threaded to thespacers to fasten. the two plates together. The reduction gears F willthen be passed onto. the supporting posts 207 as indicated in Figure.16,'after which the plate G. may be fastened in place. by. the screws.208-threaded into. the posts 209 carried. by the plate. The plateGr.has wings as. indicated at 210 which. overlie thereduction gearsF" andhold them inplace on the studs 207. The. armature shaft unit C may. thenbe passed through a largehole 211 in the plate A so asto bring the end212. of the armature shaft into the bushing 213 carried b'y the sideplate Gr; This will .at the same time bring the driving pinion 214.011the armature shaft into mesh with thelreducti'on, gears F." The. brushrigging controller unit 13 is their mounted in place onjthestuds 215'and126. carried by the plate Aprovided for this purpose. Thestud 215 has areduced outer end adapted to pass through the bushing 21? carried by theunit 1) while the stud 216 passes through the hole 218 in the insulatingplate 219- of the unit B. This unit-also, carries a metallic bushing-220 to; receive the: armature shaft 212. The unitB is'held in place byscrews 221 threaded into the studs2l5 and 126. The locomotive truckunits H. are next mounted in place by passing the bushings-222 similarto the bushing 132 upwardly through. the slots- 223 in the side plates Aand D. This running gear is held in place by a transverse bottom plate Iwhich is secured in place by thumb screws 224 threaded into the spacers203.

The field unit E is made up to have the usual laminated field structure230 and field winding 231. It also carries two sheets of insulation 232and 233 between which the coil 231 is wound. These insulating membersare designed so as to fit into the large slots or openings 234 and thesmall slots or openings 235 in the plates A and D. A current conduct-or236 indicated in dotted lines in Figure 20 carries, at its lower end aplunger 237 cooperative with the lead in conductor 227. This conductor236 is connected to one side of the field winding. The other side of thefield winding is connected to a metal strip 238 carried in the upperfront side of the field structure as indicated in Figure 20. Thisconductor strip 238 carries a forwardly extending plunger 239 adapted topass through a hole 240 in the front plate A. The laminated field isheld together by rivets in the usual manner. The heads of these rivetspassing out through small alignment holes 241 in the plate D.

The armature unit C is of more or less conventional construction havingthe usual shaft 212, pinion 214, armature field 215, windings 216, andcommutator 217.

A brush rigging controller unit B as shown in Figures 17, 21 and 22,comprises as has been described, an insulating sheet or plate 219 onwhich all of these parts are mounted. This unit also includes a currentsupply terminal 245 adapted to engage the plunger 239 when the parts areassembled into position. The plate B also carries an oscillatoryreversing switch element 246 similar to the reversing switch 25heretofore described in detail. The fixed contacts 247 and 247 of thereversing switch are each connected to brush rigging 248. The otherfixed contact of the reversing switch is indicated at 249. It isconnected by a strap 250 with the bushing 217 through which the studpasses, thereby grounding the circuit.

The form of brush rigging here shown, is made up out of a simple sheetmetal stamping. The insulating plate 219 is provided with two openings251 and 252 having circular ends 253 and narrow slots 254. The brushrigging stampings have cylindrical portions 255 adapted to pass throughthe enlarged ends of the slots, and also prongs 256 and 257 which passthrough the narrow portion 254 of the slots. over into the insulatingplate as indicated in Figure 17. The stamping also has two parallelportions 258 and 259 which extend from the holes 253 back to theconductor plates 260 which are connected to the posts 247 and 247. Theends of these brush rigging stampings have outwardly bent feet 261 whichoverlie These prongs are bent the conductor plates 260 and which areheld in close contact to the same when the prongs 256 and 257 are bentover against the outside of the insulating plate. The brush 263 iscarried in the cylindrical part of the brush holder. This brush iscarried on the end of a spring 264 which is coiled about an anchor screw265. The end of a spring 266 is passed under an inwardly bent prong 267011 the brush rigging stamping. The spring is also held in behind a bentover ear 268 which prevents the spring moving the brush out of theholder. The prong 256 may, if desired, be provided with posts 269adapted to receive clips to connect in head lights so that theheadlights are lighted in accordance with the direction of travel of thelocomotive.

The plate L shown in Figures 18 and 19 is in general similar to the baseplate L shown in Figure 1. It is provided with upwardly extending prongs270 adapted to overlie the slots 223 in the socket plates A and D andhold in place the shaft J. It is also provided with binding posts 271,one of which is connected to a contact post 272 cooperative with theterminal 237. The base plate L is provided with an apertured inwardlyextending flange 275 to receive the aligning lug 229.

The motor construction shown in Figures 115 inclusive forms the subjectmatter of divisional application Serial No. 513,071 filed February 3,1931.

It is obvious that the invention may be embodied in many forms andconstructions, and we wish it to be understood that the particular formsshown are but a few of the many forms. Various modifications and changesbeing possible, we do not limitourselves in any Way with respectthereto.

We claim:

1. A toy locomotive comprising two side plates detachably fastenedtogether in spaced relation, a motor field, motor armature, and brushrigging detachably supported by the plates in operative relation andprovided with current connections completed by the assembly of saidparts for motor operations, the plates having pairs of aligned slotsextending upwardly from the lower edges thereof, a pair of locomotivetruck units each including an axle shaft, a driving gear and trackwheels, the units being slidable into the aligned slots to dispose thewheels outside the plates, reduction gearing connecting the armature andgears on the truck units, and a dctachably mounted base plate unithaving flanges which overlie the slots to hold the truck units in place,and carrying insulated collector contacts for cooperation with a thirdrail between the track wheels.

2. A toy locomotive comprising two side plates detachably fastenedtogether in spaced relation, a motor field, motor armature, and

brush rigging detachably supported by the plates inv operativerelation-and provided with current connections completed by the assemblyof said parts for motor operation, the plates having pairs of alignedslots extending upwardly from the lower edges there of, a pair oflocomotive truck units each including anaxle shaft, a driving gear andtrack wheels, theunits being slidable into the a-linged slots to disposethewheels outside the plates, reduction gearing connecting vthe armatureand gears on the truck units, and a detachably mountedbase plate unithaving flanges which overlie the slots to hold the truck units in place,and carrying insulated collector contacts for cooperation with a thirdrail between the track wheels, said base plate unit also carrying acurrent supply terminal cooperative with one of the aforesaid currentconnections.

3. A toy outfit comprising separable units capable of being fastenedtogether to form a toy electric locomotive or a toy electric powerplant, said units including side plates, a motor field unit, a motorarmature unit, and a control switch and brush rigging unit detachablyfastened together to form a motor body, the side plates having pairs ofaligned slots extending upwardly from the lower edge thereof, one of theplates detachably carrying a pair of reduction gears meshing with apinion on the armature shaft, said units also including a pair of truckunits having track wheels and driving gears mounted on an axle shaft,and a driver unit also mounted on an axle shaft and having a drivinggear, the truck units and driver unit each being capable of beingoptionally placed in the slots to bring the gears therein in mesh withone of the reduction gears, and bottom plate units fitting the two sideplates and having provisions for holding the shafts in the slots, one ofsaid units having a base adapted to support the power plant when thedriver is in place, while the other bottom plate unit .carries contactrollers engageable with a third rail of a toy railroad. I

4. A toy outfit comprising separable units I capable of being fastenedtogether to form a toy electric locomotive or a toy electric powerplant, said units including side plates, a

motor field unit, a motor armature unit, and a control switch and brushrigging unit detachably fastened together to form a motor body, the sideplates having pairs of aligned slots extending upwardly from the loweredge thereof, one of the plates detachably carrying a pair of reductiongears meshing with a pinion on the armature shaft, said units alsoincluding a pair of truck units having track wheels and driving gearsmounted on an axle shaft, and a driver unit also mounted on an axleshaft and having a driving gear, the truck units and driver unit eachbeing capable of being optionally placed in the slots to bring the gearstherein in mesh with one of the reduction gears, and bottom plate unitsfitting the two side plates and having provisions for holding the shaftsin the slots, one of said units having a base adapted to support thepowerplant when the driver is in place, while the other bottom plateunit carries Contact rollers engageable with a third rail of a toyrailroad, these units carrying insulatively supported conductors placedinto current conducting relation for completing the motor circuits uponassembly of the units.

5. A toy outfit comprising separable units capable of being fastenedtogether to form a toy electric locomotive or a toy electric powerplant, said units includingside plates, a motor field unit, a motorarmature unit, and a control switch and brush rigging unit detachablyfastened together to: form a motor body, the side plates having pairs ofaligned slots extending upwardly from the lower edge thereof, one of theplates detachably,

carryinga pairof reduction gears meshing with a pinion on thearmatureshaft, said units also including a pair of-truck units havingtrack wheels and driving gears mounted on an: axle shaft, and a driverunit also mounted on an axle sha-f'tand having a; driving gear, thetruck units and driver unit each being capable of beingoptionally placedin the slots to. bring the gears therein in mesh with one of thereduction gears, and bottom plate units fitting the two side plates andhaving provisions for-holding the shafts in the slots, one of said unitshav- 111 a base adapted to support the power plant when the driver isinplace, while the other bottom plate unit carries contact rollcrsengageable with a tllllCl rail of a toy railread, each of saidunitshaving such size and configuration that assembly ofthe parts in butone fashion is possible.

6. A set of toy parts comprising an electric motor field unit, a motorarmature unit, supporting plates for the'field and armature units, meansfor detachably fastening the plates and units-together, a plurality ofin terchangeable power driving devices each having shafts slidable intopositiondetermined by the configuration of the plates to be in drivingrelation to the armature unit, and aplurality of plate-like members ofdifferent forms, each capable of being detachably fastened to thesupporting platesiafter the power driving devices have been placed inposition and when so fastened in place immovablv securing thepowerdriving devices inposition.

7.- A set oftoy parts comprisingan electric plates to be in drivingrelation to the armature unit, and a plurality of platedike members o'lerent forms, each capable of being fastened to the supporting plateser the power driving devices have been placed in position and when sofastened in place iunnovably securing the power driving devices in'iosition, said units and the plate-like members permanently carryingconnectors ass-sociable together to complete the motor circuit upon theassembly of theparts.

8. A set of toy parts comprising an electric motor field unit, a motorarmature unit, supporting plates for the field and armature units, meansfor detachably fastening the plates and units together, a plurality ofinterchangeable power driving devices each having shafts slidable intoposition determined by the configuration of the plates to be in drivingrelation to the armature unit, and a plurality of plate-like members ofdifierent forms, each capable of being detachably fastened to thesupporting plates after the power driving devices have been placed inposition and when so fastened in place immovably securing the powerdriving devices in position, one of said plate-like members carryincurrent collecting rollers adapted to supply current to the motor.

9. A set of toy parts comprising an electric motor field unit, a motorarmature unit, a brush rigging unit, supporting plates for the field andarmature units, means for detachably fastening the plates and unitstogether, a plurality of interchangeable power driving devices eachhaving shafts slidable into position determined by the configura tion ofthe plates to be in driving relation to the armature unit, and aplurality of platelihe members of difierent forms, each capable of beingdetachably fastened to the supporting plates after the power drivingdevices have been placed in position and when so fastened in placeimmovably securing the power driving devices in position, said partshaving inter-fitting elements nonsymmetrically arranged to requireassembly in a predetermined manner only.

10. A set of toy part-s comprising an electric motor field unit, amotorarmature unit, a reversing switch and brush rigging unit, supportingplates for the field and armature units, means for detachably fasteningthe plates and units together, a plurality of interchangeable powerdriving devices each having shafts slidable into position determined bythe configuration of the plates to be in driving relation to thearmature unit, certain of said devices being in the form of locomotivetrucks having wheels, and a plurality of plate-like members of differentforms, each capable of being detachably fastened to the supportingplates after the power driving devices have been placed in

